Ingredients
- For the cake:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 tsp cotton candy flavoring
- Pink and blue food coloring
- For the buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Cotton candy flavoring, to taste
- Pink and blue food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in vanilla and cotton candy flavoring.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk, mixing until just combined.
- Divide batter into two bowls and tint one pink and one blue.
- Spoon batters into pans, gently swirling them for a marbled effect.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely.
- To make the buttercream, beat butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well between additions.
- Add heavy cream, vanilla, and cotton candy flavoring to reach desired consistency and flavor.
- Divide and tint frosting with pink and blue food coloring.
- Frost and assemble the cake, swirling the colors decoratively.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without thinning the batter.
- Cake layers can be baked a day ahead and wrapped tightly.
- Customize the colors with pastel purple or yellow for variety.
- Let the cake sit at room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
- Gluten-free flour blends can be substituted 1:1 for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
